![Hold Back the Dawn [DVD] Charles Boyer; Olivia de Havilland; Paulette Goddard](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41AkExBJQsL._SL75_.jpg)
It's all that I can give to you
Monday, February 15, 2016 at 01:44PM 
What? Valentine's Day nothing but a commercial cha-ching!-fest for greeting card companies and candy factories and stuffed-ingabee peddlers and mylar-balloon pushers and jewelers and florists?
No. It's about love.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Actually I feel the need to confess that I have no particular fondness for most holidays.
The few exceptions include Christmas -- which as a rule I love with all my heart -- and my own birthday, my favorite day of the year and one on which I expect a great deal of purposeful frivolity to revolve around the annual recognition of my original appearance on the scene.
Aside from that I much prefer a routine existence.
But I participate in the calendar-generated festivities when they occur and in whatever way I am inclined and able, dependent upon circumstances and resources.
Valentine's Day has always made me a little uneasy. I've never figured out why.
TG and I make minimal fuss on this day. We may go out to eat, exchange cards after we've ordered, and display our cards on the table while we dine.
This year we didn't do that. It was Sunday (as you know) and although I don't technically mind going out to eat on a Sunday, it's not my favorite thing.
I bought TG a huge bag of Hershey's Miniatures which only half-filled our HUGE glass treat jar. I propped his card against the jar. He found it in NO TIME.
Although I cop to owning a sweet tooth roughly the size of Siberia, I do not eat candy. Flowers are wonderful but receiving cut ones seldom seems to go zing to my heart the way I believe the beau geste is intended to do.
My TG knows all of this, although in the past, of course, he has given me both blossoms and sweet-tooth satisfiers and I have enjoyed them.
This year he was a savvy shopper. I got a darling super-soft stuffed mouse proclaiming forever love! and clutching a gift card in his furry gray paws.
Booyah. Also a very nice valentine card which shall remain private.
I have named my mouse Dashiell -- Dash for short -- and yes, even as a woman of a certain age I am not ashamed to say I love to be given cute toys.
It thrills the little kid still living in my skin. Dash sat with me all afternoon yesterday and I even hugged and kissed him.
I saw Dagny only at church and the pictures offered here are from a few weeks ago, when it was nice and warm outside and we played on the front porch.
South Carolina has endured a cold snap and I don't mean maybe. It's drawing to a close and I can't say I'll be sorry to see it go.
Erica and I were in Northwest Ohio for a few days recently and we saw zero signs of snow anywhere -- not even lying on the ground, melting -- in North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, or Ohio.
In fact it was warmer in Buckeye Land while we were there, than it has been in the Palmetto State.
Today? Nothing but a cold soaking rain outside my window.
That's about to change. Spring is coming sooner rather than later. Neither Punxsutawney Phil nor Shubenacadie Sam saw their shadows on February two.
But I won't put my warm pirate socks away quite yet.
And that's it for now. Kisses and L-O-V-E to you all.
=0=0=0=
Happy Monday
Reader Comments (10)
I feel the same way about VD, Jenny. It's never been a huge celebration day, except when my daughter was in university; that particular day and Easter I sent her gifts. In fact, yesterday I gave her chocolates (I got bogo free) LOL. So, I gifted both of us.
Dagny is growing so, and just a cute as ever.
xoxo
@Sally ... I don't know what it is about Valentine's that doesn't thrill me. I think it's nice that once in awhile you send someone candy. I like to do that too. My TG likes just a little something to snack on after supper so the miniatures were a good choice. Although something tells me other hands will find their way into that jar, haaha. Dagny is indeed growing -- into more of a joy every single day. Take care, my friend.
I've always loved Valentine's Day--for what is represents and the person it's named for and, it's a long running "holiday", unlike Sweetest Day which was created a decade or two ago. My Fred made a big deal about both days and now that he is no longer here, I just get a Bah Humbug feeling about both days. As an only child for many years, my birthday was always a very big deal! Celebrated on the First Day of Summer and thus the Longest Day of the Year, my Mother repeatedly told me how special my day was. Now? Not so much. Which makes me sad because I STILL think my birthday is a very special day. God decided I should inhabit the earth and to me, that's very special.
@Judy ... I couldn't agree more about your birthday. Every birthday is special because every life matters. Our first grand, Melanie, was born on the shortest day of the year ... which means that the very next day, the days begin getting longer, with more light. And what a joy she's been. I hope your Valentine's Day was special even if you had a bah humbug feeling, haaaha. xoxo
We celebrate Valentines Day in much the same way. We went out for supper on Friday night and exchanged cards. That's enough for me. Dash is pretty cute. :)
Of course, Dagny is even cuter!
@Mari ... What's really going to be cute is the way Dagny squeals "Ingabeeeeee!" when she sees Dash. xoxo
Here's how Bob and I celebrated Valentine after being married nearly 50 year: We walked through the city holding hands. When I expressed a craving for chips - yes chips, which I rarely eat - he walked until he found some for me. We had brunch with a passel of family, and afterward, the grandchildren pressed close to us as our d-i-l's took photos. They gave us homemade cards expressing their love. As usual, a magical Valentine Day for us! I like your sweet elephant who brought you love from TG. Just looking at Dagny makes me smile! Keep warm - as I will too.
Sounds like a lovely Valentine's day. Ms. Dagny is sure getting to be a little girl, not much baby anymore.
@Barb ... that sounds perfect. I love it. And I thought Dash was an elephant too. TG had to tell me he was a mouse, haaaahaha. xoxo
@Irene ... you are right about Dagny. It's sad and happy at the same time. xoxo
My bad - a mouse for sure!